NATIONAL singles coach Misbun Sidek stressed that it was he who advised World No 1 Lee Chong Wei to withdraw from the Laos Sea Games.
"I told him (Chong Wei) to rest upon advice from a private doctor in Kuala Lumpur due to his nagging thigh injury. He needs treatment and rest," Misbun said yesterday.
"Chong Wei has been suffering from this since the Hong Kong Open and it would have put him at risk if he had continued playing in a competitive tournament after the recent Super Series Masters Final."
Chong Wei's absence is a big blow to the badminton squad's hopes in achieving their two-gold medal target. Either Kuan Beng Hong or Liew Daren will replace Chong Wei in the individual event.
Misbun said Chong Wei will take at least three weeks to recover from his injury.
"It is not a serious injury but he needs the rest to prevent it from getting more serious. I hope people will understand," he said.
| Misbun (right) says Chong Wei needs treatment and rest due to his nagging thigh injury. — Pic: EFFENDY RASHID |
Meanwhile, national singles chief coach Rashid Sidek said the absence of Chong Wei does not mean that the remaining shuttlers would be unable to achieve the two-gold medal target set by BAM.
"We have our best players in the men's doubles and women's singles and doubles. Wong Mew Choo and Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui have returned to their best after victories in the recent Super Series Masters. They have a chance to deliver in Laos.
"In the men's doubles, we have World No 1 Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Fairuzizuan Tazari-Zakty Latif to depend on," said Rashid. -- AJITPAL SINGH
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